Dear Readers
With the past week’s news being dominated by the US Presidential election (and I suspect there is a lot more to come!), I was very keen to learn about the impact a change of the President would have on the rail industry.
Now that Joe Biden has been named as President-elect it is interesting to note that he also embraces the nickname “Amtrak Joe”. In a 2011 opinion piece “Why America Need Trains” first published in Arrive Magazine and posted on HuffPost.com, Biden said:
Amtrak doesn’t just carry us from one place to another—it makes things possible that otherwise wouldn’t be. For 36 years, I was able to make most of those birthday parties, to get home to read bedtime stories, to cheer for my children at their soccer games. Simply put, Amtrak gave me—and countless other Americans—more time with my family. That’s worth immeasurably more to me than the fare printed on the ticket.”
Looking ahead, research from Bloomberg Intelligence (BI) claims that a Democrat leadership could play a key role in helping the rail sector back on its feet after the pandemic.
This week, we have 6 exciting Jobs of the Week. In New Zealand, we are looking for a Senior Track Infrastructure Engineer, in Singapore we're looking for a Trackwork Engineer and in Honolulu, we are looking for a Rolling Stock Manager.
Also, in India, we are seeking a Team Leader and Deputy Team Leader (Civil) as well as a Private Sector BD Rail.
Regards
Ceri Taylor
Editor
This Week’s Headlines
9 Nov 2020. Australia. Trans4m Rail awarded A$693m Inland Rail contract
The Narrabri to North Star section of the Inland Rail is another major step closer to construction with Trans4m Rai, a joint-venture between John Holland and SEE Civil, awarded the A$693 million contract to upgrade the 171km stretch of rail.
Source: Mirage News
8 Nov 2020. China. Step up work on Tibet rail line, Xi instructs officials
President Xi Jinping has instructed officials to expedite the construction of the new US$47.8bn railway project connecting the country's southwest Sichuan province to Linzhi in Tibet
Source: PTI
6 Nov 2020. Germany. Siemens Vectron Dual Mode gets operation approval from EBA
Siemens Mobility’s Vectron Dual Mode locomotive has received authorisation for operation in Germany from the Federal Railway Authority (EBA).
Source: Global Railway Review
5 Nov 2020. UK. Railway research centre opens at Birmingham University
A new centre designed to deliver specialist research in digital railway engineering has been opened at the University of Birmingham.
Source: Insider Media
5 Nov 2020. Canada. Colas, Parsons set to land Edmonton light rail system deal
The city of Edmonton has named its preferred team to design, build and partially finance the 14km Valley Line West light rail transit (LRT) project.
Source: The Construction Index
Jobs of the Week:
Senior Track Infrastructure Engineer, Auckland, New Zealand
Job ID#: 13138
Discipline: Permanent Way
Position Type: Contract
Language: English
Job Description:
Our client operates and maintains the Auckland rail network and is looking for a Senior Track Infrastructure Engineer to ensure the infrastructure of the Auckland Rail Network is maintained to a high level and provides the basis for the consistent delivery of the agreed network timetable by
- Preparing designs, reports, specifications, and other deliverables for rail schemes in accordance with relevant design standards to a high degree of technical excellence.
- Seeking innovation in the delivery of rail civil engineering schemes and the techniques used to deliver those schemes.
- Resolving technical engineering issues as they arise, liaising with relevant stakeholders to identify root cause issues, and ensuring optimal outcomes are delivered.
- Working closely with GM Safety and Compliance to develop strategies to improve network safety.
Job Requirements
- Preference of at least 5 years" experience of working in a similar role in rail engineering projects.
- Understands how to manage and maintain a metro rail system.
- Chartered or eligible for chartered engineer status.
- Strong technical skills, knowledge of rail design standards and appreciation of the requirements of civil engineering in rail.
- Proven ability to work within and lead multi-functional teams as required.
- A self-motivated individual with the ability to work under pressure and take initiative.
- Demonstrable skills in working in a client facing manner with ability to deliver against short, medium, and longer-term goals.
- Proven, high level stakeholder management and negotiation skills, within a complex environment.
- Demonstrated commercial experience in contract management preferred.
- Ideally a a Knowledge of the Auckland Suburban Rail Network or the passenger rail industry
- Knowledge of business and operational strategies and practices applicable to all stakeholders in Auckland Rail Network.
Contact: David Hyland (davidh@railpersonnel.com)
Job ID#: 12969
Discipline: Permanent Way
Language: English
Positions Available: 3
Job Description:
Our client is looking for an experienced track maintenance engineers to assist with a contract they have to do an assessment on track work condition on the North South and East West lines in Singapore. This include on site assessments and reporting to LTA.
8 months to 1 year. SGD10K per month all up. night work
Job Requirements
- 10-15 years experience track maintenance on Metros
- Good English skills
Contact: David Hyland (davidh@railpersonnel.com)
Rolling Stock Manager, Honolulu, United States
Job ID#: 13136
Discipline: Rolling Stock
Position Type: Permanent
Language: English
Job Description:
Our Client has a contract to build and operate the Honolulu Rail Transit Project in Honolul, the first fully automated driver less transit system of the United States.
They are looking for a Rolling Stock Manager to:
- Manage Rolling Stock assets and employees
- Plans preventive and corrective maintenance activities
- Implements and follows-up on procedures and rules for service, repairs, and maintenance of rolling stock in relation to the technicians
- Identify maintenance training needs at a project level
- Ensures staff are competent and trained to follow safety and maintenance procedures and instructions
- Ensures that sufficient materials, hand tools, and equipment are on hand for maintenance activities
- Prepares work related reports, identifies training needs for all personnel, and conducts inspections and acceptance of trains maintenance
- Manages the resources needed to order to optimize utilization of all resources
- Prepares annual and long-range forecasts of all car maintenance operations
- Assists in developing, planning and implementing the department's preventive maintenance, component overhaul and rehabilitation and replacement programs
- Report all incidents and accidents immediately through appropriate reporting channels and takes action to isolate any hazards and risks
- Prepare annual budgets for PM, CM and Overhaul (CARP) of Rolling Stock
- Ensure the handover of the system from commissioning to maintenance team
Role requires flexibility and efficiently which require shift rotation, weekends and holidays work typical of major infrastructure projects and operating transit systems
The first phase of the project, linking East Kapolei on the Ewa Plain and Aloha Stadium, is scheduled to open in early 2021. Its second phase continuing the line across urban Honolulu to Ala Moana Center is due to open in December 2025.
The project constructs an almost entirely elevated rapid transit line from the eastern edge of Kapolei, near the University of Hawaii-West Oahu campus, to Ala Moana Center (East of Honolulu downtown). The line passes through communities along southern Oahu, via Honolulu International Airport and downtown Honolulu. It will have twenty-one stations and run from Kapolei to Honolulu, passing through Waipahu, Pearl City, Waimalu, Aiea, and Halawa
Job Requirements
Required Skills/ Knowledge: Associates Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or related area, or equivalent education and job experience
Desired Skills/ Knowledge:
- Graduation from an accredited college with a Bachelor's Degree in related field
- Four (4) or more years of experience in a train controller position
- Experience in supervising maintenance staff
Contact: David Hyland (davidh@railpersonnel.com)
Private Sector BD Rail, Haryana, India
Job ID#: 13093
Discipline: Business Intelligence
Position Type: Permanent
Language: English
Job Description:
This is an esteemed rail and metro consultancy company and they are looking for a Private Sector BD Rail and he has wide background or experience in civil and structural related contractors and private players
Job Title: Private Sector BD Rail
Location: Gurgaon Haryana
Purpose of the role
The candidate will take responsibility and initiative in:
* Contributing to the growth in developing private sector for the company in India.
* Developing and supporting the implementation of business development from lead generation to making presentations and to final submission of the quote.
* Identifying competitor activity and recommend possible strategic alliances where this will provide advantage for the company in building relationship with contractors.
Key responsibilities
* Generating proactive consulting opportunities for the company . Using your current business relationships with private contractors, developers to generate quick wins for the firm.
* Achieving business targets set jointly with the management
* Gathering early intelligence and leading and managing proposal processes
* Maintaining an awareness of industry best practice and incorporate this appropriately into change recommendations.
* Site visits to understand client requirement and site conditions.
* Coordination with other Engineering departments like MEP, Structural Civil for finalization of the quote.
* Post award coordination with client.
Job Requirements
Educational Qualification: BE Civil plus M.Tech Structure and it is not mandatory but no BSc or any other graduates are considered
Skills and experience Essential
* Strong private sector client relationship.
* Experience: min 15 years' experience in Rail business, preferably with Contractors. Experience of Civil design is a must, in Civil structures, underground structures, tunnels, metro /Rail structures.
* Minimum 5+ years" experience of successfully winning and delivering business in a consulting environment in any/all of the above domains.
* Self-starter with a flexible attitude capable of delivering results in a new Environment.
* Collaborative team player, with the ability to work on their own initiative as required
* Analytical thinking, tolerant of ambiguity and decisive judgement
* Creative and Resourceful
* Capability of networking
* Keep updated knowledge of external business environment
* Capability of networking
* Keep updated knowledge of external business environment
Contact: Varun Pershad (varun@railpersonnel.com)
Deputy Team Leader (Civil) Agra, India
Job ID#: 13109
Discipline: Civil
Position Type: Permanent
Language: English
Job Description
Our client is seeking a Deputy Team Leader (Civil) to assist with activities as part of the Project Management Consultancy Services for Bhaupur-Khurja Section of Eastern DFCC APL-1 Project.
* Nature of Services: Project Management Consultancy (PMC)
* Client: DFCC (Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation) - a division of Railway
* Site Office : Tundla (Near Agra, U.P.) / Etawah & Aligarh
Man months: 01 yrs 06 months starting from November 2020
Joining: Need candidates available to join on immediate basis ( max within a month)
Duties & Responsibilities:
* Overall In-charge of respective jurisdiction
* Review Contract Documents
* Participate Pre-Construction Conference
* Assist Team Leader in Administration of Contract
* Exercise supervisory control over his team members and issue necessary guidelines, directives, instructions for efficient and economical implementation of the project
* Check Contractor's Setting Out of Project
* Overall Review of Preliminary Design and Drawings and Definitive / Detailed Design and Drawings
* Monitoring of Supervision of Works / Inspection of Works
* Inspection of entire project within his jurisdiction at least once a month including inspection of contractor"s plants and other facilities such as workers accommodation in order to ensure that all facilities provided are in accordance with the conditions laid down in the DB contract and labour laws
* Ensure Monitoring of Quality Control and Quality Assurance
* Monitoring Measurement of Works
* Supervision of Integrated Testing and Commissioning and Trial Run for 100 Kmph Speed
* Monitoring Contractor's Payment Process
* Advice on Contract Changes and Claims Management
* Ensure Implementation of Management and Management Information Systems
* Preparing various Reports
* Preparation of Checklist for Training of DFC Personal during O&M
* Inspection during Defect Liability Period
* Keep Permanent Record of Correspondence
* Should be having in-depth knowledge and awareness of all relevant applicable codes and rules for the project.
Job Requirements
- Academic Qualification: B. Tech Civil is mandatory preferably M. Tech / MBA
- General Work Experience: More than 15 Years after civil degree
- Experience in Railway/ Transportation / Infra structure projects: More than 10 Years
- Experience in similar position: More than 5 years (REQUIRED 5 YRS. INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE OF 2 RAILWAY PROJECTS)
Contact: Varun Pershad (varun@railpersonnel.com)
Job ID#: 13110
Discipline: Civil
Position Type: Permanent
Language: English
Job Description:
Our client is seeking a Team Leader to assist with activities as part a Cable Stayed Bridge project across North Eastern part of India which is funded by JICA.
Project Name: 'Consultancy Services for Authority"s Engineer Proposal for the work 'Four-lane Bridge on South Bank on NH-127B (Design length 19.282 km) in the State of Assam/ Meghalaya under the scheme of" North-East Road Network Connectivity Project on EPC mode under JICA Phase-03.'
Total Duration of Project: 93 Months ( construction) + 48 Months ( Maintenance phase)
Job Requirements:
- Post Graduate Degree in Civil Engineering with Doctorate qualification in Construction Management / Highway Engineering / Transportation Engineering / Structural Engineering / Geotechnical Engineering/ Soil Mechanics/Foundation Engineering
- Minimum 20 years of professional experience on Bridge Projects in minimum 3 countries and with minimum of 5 years in foreign country (other than home country)
- At least 8 years of experience in construction supervision of Highway Bridge projects in similar capacity
- Experience on minimum 5 Bridge Projects either Cable stayed or Cable suspension or Extra-dosed or pre-stressed bridge of 2/4/6 lane for highway/expressway/rail cum road bridge on Design, Engineering, procurement, Supply And Construction basis
- Experience in Design of at least 4 Bridge Projects either Cable stayed or Cable suspension or Extra-dosed or prestressed bridge of 2/4/6 lane for highway/expressway/rail cum road bridge with minimum bridge length of 500 mtrs. having span not less than 125 mtrs. each
- Experience in Construction of at least 5 Bridge projects in similar capacity for either Cable stayed or Cable suspension or Extradosed or pre-stressed bridge of 2/4/6 lane for highway/expressway/rail cum road bridge over Sea/ Creek/ Perennial River/ Estuary with minimum One span not less than 125 mtrs.
- Experience in Operation & Maintenance of 2 Major Bridge projects in similar capacity
- Experience in at least 2 Projects funded by Multilateral/ Bilateral Funding Agency(ies) where value of ICB
- Minimum 4 years of working experience in India
- Minimum 2 years of working experience in North East region of India
Contact: Varun Pershad (varun@railpersonnel.com)
Rail News
9 Nov 2020. Australia. Trans4m Rail awarded A$693m Inland Rail contract
The Narrabri to North Star section of the Inland Rail is another major step closer to construction, with Trans4m Rai, a joint-venture between John Holland and SEE Civil, awarded the A$693 million contract to upgrade the 171km stretch of rail. In December 2019 three firms were shortlisted to deliver this main works contract and entered into a formal Request for Tender process from which Trans4m Rail was appointed. Trans4m Rail will deliver construction of the first phase of work, which involves the upgrade of existing rail line between Narrabri and North Star. Further design work will progress on the second phase of Narrabri to North Star construction which will see the development of an EIS for the construction of new track between Moree and Camurra.
Source: Mirage News
8 Nov 2020. China. Step up work on Tibet rail line, Xi instructs officials
President Xi Jinping has instructed officials to expedite the construction of the new US$47.8bn railway project connecting the country's southwest Sichuan province to Linzhi in Tibet close to the Indian border in Arunachal Pradesh, saying it would play a key role in safeguarding stability in the border areas. The Sichuan-Tibet railway will be the second railway line into Tibet after the Qinghai-Tibet railway project. The Sichuan-Tibet Railway starts from Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, travels through Ya'an and enters Tibet via Qamdo, shortening the journey from Chengdu to Lhasa from 48 hours to 13 hours. Linzhi, also known as Nyingchi, is located close to India’s Arunachal Pradesh border.
Source: PTI
6 Nov 2020. Germany. Siemens Vectron Dual Mode gets operation approval from EBA
Siemens Mobility’s Vectron Dual Mode locomotive has received authorisation for operation in Germany from the Federal Railway Authority (EBA). The Vectron Dual Mode operates in electric mode on electrified rail routes to save fuel and reduce emissions and maintenance costs and can switch to diesel operation on sections without overhead lines, eliminating the need to change locomotives. The Vectron Dual Mode locomotive is based on the Vectron platform and components. It has a track gauge of 1,435mm and weighs 90tonnes. The locomotive is designed to operate on a 15-kV AC voltage system and is equipped with a PZB train protection system. Regardless of its operating mode, the locomotive has 2,000kW traction power at the wheel rim. The fuel tank has a volume of 2,600litres. The locomotive has a top speed of 160km/h.
Source: Global Railway Review
5 Nov 2020. UK. Railway research centre opens at Birmingham University
A new centre designed to deliver specialist research in digital railway engineering has been opened at the University of Birmingham. The Centre of Excellence for Digital Systems has been completed after the university partnered with the UK Rail Research and Innovation Network (UKRRIN) to commission the facility, with £16.4m in funding from Research England. The centre sits within the Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education (BCRRE). The building represents the first phase of construction work for a £46.5m School of Engineering development at the University of Birmingham and has been completed this month by contractor Willmott Dixon. The centre will house specialist research in digital railway engineering, focusing on railway control and simulation, data integration, cybersecurity, condition monitoring and sensing, and improved methods for
Source: Insider Media
5 Nov 2020. Canada. Colas, Parsons set to land Edmonton light rail system deal
The city of Edmonton has named its preferred team to design, build and partially finance the 14km Valley Line West light rail transit (LRT) project. Marigold Infrastructure Partners, a joint venture of France’s Colas Infrastructure, US engineer Parsons, and Canadian firms Francl Architecture, Fast + EPP and Stantec, will design, build and partially finance the 14km Valley Line West LRT project. The CA$2.6bn Valley Line West project has funding commitments from the province of Alberta and government of Canada. It is the second phase of the Valley Line, a 27km LRT line that will connect Mill Woods and Lewis Farms. The first phase of the project, Valley Line Southeast, is currently under construction. Construction on the second phase is due to begin in 2021 and be finished in 2026 or 2027.
Source: The Construction Index
5 Nov 2020. Greece. Alstom consortium chosen for first section of Athens U-Line
Alstom, as part of a consortium with Avax and Ghella, has been designated winner in the public procurement tender for the construction of the first section of Athens Metro Line 4, following the recent approval of the technical and financial offers by Attiko Metro’s Board of Directors. Alstom’s share in the project is worth approximately €300m.The entire new Line 4, known as the “U-Line”, will run through the most populated areas of central Athens, crossing existing Lines 2 & 3, covering 38 kilometres and a total of 35 stations. The current project refers to phase 1, Goudi-Alsos Veikou, consisting of 12.8kilometres and 15 stations. Alstom’s responsibility will include rolling stock, signalling, and infrastructure. Alstom will supply 20 fully automated, 4-cars Metropolis trains, the state-of-the-art CBTC solution Urbalis 400, Iconis security and control systems and the Hesop energy saving system.
Source: Alstom
4 Nov 2020. UK. Hull Trains suspends services for second time due to COVID-19
Hull Trains is suspending its four services a day to London for the second time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hull Trains previously shutdown at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic on 29 March 29 and reopened with a reduced timetable on 21 August. The RMT union called on the government to provide financial support to the firm which operates on an “open access” basis. The RMT described open access operators as the “poor relation in terms of support for the rail sector, denied the guaranteed financial support underpinning the franchise holders, leaving staff living on a knife edge with no security.” The union is backing a debate in parliament on more support for the rail industry.
Source: The Railway Hub
4 Nov 2020. UK. Network Rail set target to reduce carbon emissions
Network Rail has taken a step forward in tackling climate change by becoming the first railway company to set the most ambitious Science Based Targets to reduce carbon emissions and limit global warming. Network Rail is already making progress in reducing its Greenhouse gas emissions All of the energy used to power its stations, depots and offices comes from renewable sources, and a trial to move its road fleet to electric vehicles is happening now. Around two-thirds of the railway’s emissions are generated by suppliers, so as well as working on elements within its control, the organisation is keen to work with its wider supply chain, such as manufacturing and construction companies, to help them to set their own targets.
Source: PBM today
4 Nov 2020. Germany. Bombardier launches new EBI digital service
Bombardier Transportation has launched its new Bombardier EBI Sense digital service for predictive maintenance. Focused on rail signalling, it embraces Bombardier’s rail control experience, modern digital tools and advanced analytics. The service converts asset performance data into powerful insights, enabling infrastructure operators to manage maintenance more efficiently, reduce disruptions and enhance railway availability. Unique wireless sensors, cloud-native systems and flexible web-based interfaces enable rapid deployment with no disruption to operations. Using machine learning, it automatically improves analysis through experience and anticipates asset performance.
Source: Global Newswire
4 Nov 2020. Israel. Contractors for Haifa – Nazareth tram-train line announced
TransIsrael, the authority leading the development of the Haifa – Nazareth tram-train project, has announced the 10 contactors who will build the 41km line. The winners of the 34km Har Yona – Merkazit Hamifratz interurban sections A, B and C are K S M G Contractors (infrastructure and development), A M Z Shemesh, Olizki Infrastructures, Rolider, and Y Lehrer & Co. Y Lehrer & Co, Rolider, Abraham Isaac Co, and Brothers Anton Earthworks has won the 7km Har Yona (Yona mountain) – Taufic Ziad urban section D. Preliminary work is due to start before the end of the year, including moving and rebuilding infrastructure, building supporting walls, earthworks, and pavements. The $US2bn project will have 20 stations in the Galilee and Haifa metropolitan areas. The line, which will carry 100,000 passengers daily, will start at HaMifratz central station in Haifa, Israel’s largest transport hub, before running through Karat Ata. The line will then pass through the towns of Shfar’am, Bir El-Maksur, Mashhad, Reineh, and Nof HaGalil, before terminating in Nazareth.
Source: International Railway Journal
4 Nov 2020. India. Seven bidders vie for lead role on Chennai Metro extension
Seven consortiums have expressed interest in bidding for the lead consultant role on a 26km addition to the metro system in the city of Chennai. The Asian companies are Nippon Koei of Japan and the Korea Rail Network Authority. European contenders are Systra and Egis Rail of France, Germany’s Deutsche Bahn Engineering and Consulting. The other two candidates are Rites, a state-owned Indian firm and US engineer Aecom. The winning bidder will start work early next year. The scope of the project includes planning the route of the metro and overseeing the design and construction process. Last week, four bidders came forward for the construction contract. These included Larsen and Toubro and Tata Projects of India, a JV between Shanghai Tunnel Engineering and Singapore’s Who Hup Engineering, and Turkey’s Gulemark Agir. Line 4, as it will be known, will run east to west, from Lighthouse on the Bay of Bengal to the western district of Poonamallee. It will have 30 stations, including 12 underground. The winning bidder’s work will be financed by a $360m loan from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.
Source: Global Construction Review
4 Nov 2020. Colombia. CRRC Chanchun selected for Bogotá metro train contract
China Harbour Engineering Co awarded CRRC Changchun a contract to supply 30 driverless trainsets for the future Bogotá metro Line 1..Line 1 is to be built by the APCA Transmimetro consortium of China Harbour Engineering Co (85%) and operating partner Xi’an Metro Co (15%) under a build (eight years) and operate (20 years) concession agreement with Empresa Metro de Bogotá. The 23·8 km line, now expected to open in 2028, will run north-south from Carrera 94 to Calle 72, with a peak capacity of 72 000 passengers per hour.
Source: Metro Report International
3 Nov 2020. Romania. Alstom to provide new trains for Bucharest Metro L5
Alstom has been awarded a contract by Metrorex SA, the state-owned Bucharest metro operator, to provide a total of up to 30 Metropolis trains to run on the newly built Line 5 of the city’s metro network, delivered in two lots. The value of the contract for the first 13 trains is over €100 million. This contract can be extended with an option for another 17 trains, based on customer’s order, the total estimated value of the project could go up to €240 million. The first train will be delivered in less than 29 months and will circulate on the first section of the new metro line that is already in operation. The other 12 trains of the first lot will be delivered immediately after the homologation of the first one, while the optional lot of 17 units will be delivered based on a firm request from the Bucharest metro operator.
Source: Alstom
3 Nov 2020. Japan. Series 6500 train ready for testing on Mita Line
Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation is to begin testing the first Series 6500 metro trainset for its Mita Line during November, ahead of the scheduled entry into passenger service in 2022. The first new stock for the line since 2000, the 13 Series 6500 trainsets manufactured by Kinki Sharyo will have eight cars, providing an increase in capacity from the current six-car Series 6300 fleet. The trains are designed to be more accessible for passengers with wider vestibules to for smooth passenger flow at the peaks. The information systems will be designed for the needs of foreign visitors as well as daily commuters, with multilingual LCD screens. The traction systems will use VVVF inverters with silicon carbide semiconductors, and the fleet will be the first Toei Subway trainsets to be equipped to transmit operating information to the depot to support maintenance. From 2022, Mita Line trains are due to run through to the Meguro Line and Sotetsu’s Shin Yokohama Line.
Source: Metro Report International
2 Nov 2020. Australia. New Flinders Railway Line to open in December
Adelaide train commuters will soon be enjoying better and more frequent services with the new Flinders Railway Line expected to open to commuters in the first weeks of December. More than 12,000 additional trips have been added to the new timetable including late night services and, for the first time, weekend services. The existing Tonsley Railway Line, which currently ends at Clovelly Park Railway Station, will be closed for approximately two weeks for essential testing and driver training before reopening as the Flinders Railway Line. The new Tonsley Railway Station will also open to commuters from first service in early December, with the Clovelly Park Station to be closed permanently on Friday, 20 November.
Source: Mirage News
28 Oct 2020. China. Shenzhen metro lines exceed 400 km
The southern metropolis of Shenzhen has 11 metro lines in operation with a total length of 411 km, after a new line and new sections of three existing lines commenced services. The first stage of Metro Line 8 started initial operation in the city while the third stage of Line 2, Line 3, and Line 4 also began operations. So far this year, Shenzhen has opened six metro lines with a total length of 107 km, according to Shenzhen Metro Group.. The city's metro operator also said it would start construction on five intercity railway lines within the year.
Source: Xinhua
28 Oct 2020. Australia. ARA calls for rail innovation
The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) has published a report calling for the prioritisation of rail innovation to avoid Australia falling further behind the rest of the world. ARA Chief Executive Officer, Caroline Wilkie, said the report, Finding the fast track for innovation in the Australasian rail industry, found an absence of research funding, a fragmented market and state-specific government procurement processes had frustrated investment in innovation and could threaten the future of rail manufacturing in the country. Ms Wilkie said the Federal Government’s current manufacturing focus provided the ideal opportunity to support a stronger rail innovation culture that helps Australia get the most from future investment. The report, authored by L.E.K. Consulting, calls for rail innovation to be identified as a national priority, with dedicated research funding.
Source: Infrastructure Magazine
27 Oct 2020. Pakistan. Lahore Metro inaugurated
The country’s first modern metro, the Lahore Orange Line has been opened by the Chief Minister of Punjab, Sardar Usman Buspar. The line runs for 27·1 km serving 26 stations on a mostly-elevated alignment, with a 1·7km tunnelled section in the city centre. Starting from Ali Town in the southwest it follows Multan Road to reach underground stations at Anarkali Bazaar and Central, then runs via the main line station and east along Grand Trunk Road to Dera Gujran. CRRC Zhouzhou has supplied a fleet of 27 five-car Type B trainsets, with the first delivered on May 15, 2017, and a further 27 are expected to arrive by 2025.. Traction power is from a 750V DC third-rail supply. The trains are expected to operate at up to 80 km/h, offering an end-to-end commercial speed of nearly 35km/h. Design capacity of the line is 250,000 passengers per day.
Source: Metro Report International
